Job Description:An opportunity for a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Performance Engineer has arisen within Airbus Defence and Space, Getafe (Madrid).
The selected candidate will join the Microwave Instrument Engineering Team, a specialized multidisciplinary department dedicated to Earth Observation payload design and development.
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Descubra si es el candidato adecuado leyendo la descripción completa a continuación.In this role, you will be responsible for defining, modeling, and optimizing end-to-end SAR system performance from early concept through to mission operations.You will act as a key technical reference across the SAR processing chain, image quality evaluation, and calibration/validation (Cal/Val) campaigns, working in close collaboration with RF, antenna, payload, and data processing teams on major international space programs.ResponsibilitiesThe main tasks of the jobholder will be: End-to-End Performance Modeling: Develop, implement, and maintain system-level models and simulators (covering signal, geometry, propagation, and noise) to predict end-to-end SAR performance and establish requirement allocations.Image Quality Evaluation & Budgets: Generate and monitor comprehensive instrument-level performance budgets, assessing key radar metrics including spatial resolution, NESZ, radiometric accuracy, and ambiguity ratios (range/azimuth).
System Architecture & Trade-Offs: Perform advanced trade-off analyses (orbit parameters, frequency bands, PRF selection, and antenna configurations) to support mission definition and instrument design optimization.Calibration & Processing Support: Drive SAR processing chain verification, focusing algorithms, and calibration/validation (Cal/Val) strategies using in-orbit and ground campaign data.




AIT & V&V; Integration: Define and support Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) as well as payload Verification and Validation (V&V;) activities across laboratory and environmental test phases.Project Milestones & Technical Leadership: Deliver key performance documentation and represent the system engineering team in formal reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR/TRB) as well as customer-facing technical exchanges and future mission proposals.SkillsIs your profile aligned to the following list of skills?
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We are looking forward to getting to know you:Education:Master's degree (MSc) or PhD in Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical Engineering, RF/Microwave Engineering, or Physics.Experience:5 to 10 years of professional experience in remote-sensing microwave instrument development, with a deep focus on SAR systems and radar signal processing.Technical Knowledge: Deep command of SAR principles, radar performance metrics (NESZ, SNR, ambiguity suppression), end-to-end signal processing chains, and advanced numerical modeling/simulation using Python, MATLAB, or equivalent.Soft Skills:Strong analytical problem-solving abilities, high autonomy in managing workload across multiple projects, and proven collaborative skills within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Languages: Advanced / Negotiation level in English (mandatory, written and spoken).




Fluent Spanish is valuable; French or German isdesirable.Valuable / Nice to Have: Solid understanding of ESA development lifecycles and space engineering standards (ECSS, MIL-STD, CCSDS).
Requirements engineering experience using tools such as IBM DOORS.Complementary knowledge of passive microwave instruments or radiometer systems.
Experience in international space projects or customer-facing environments.Availability to travel for test campaigns and project milestone reviews.Which Benefits Will You Have as an Airbus Employee?
At Airbus we are focused on our employees and their welfare.Take a look at some of our social benefits: Vacation days plus additional days-off along the year.Attractive salary.Hybrid model of working when possible.Collective transport service subject to working calendar/home location.
Benefits such as life insurance, health insurance, employee stock options, retirement plan, or study grants.On-site facilities (among others): free canteen, kindergarten, medical office.Possibility to collaborate in different social and corporate social responsibility initiatives.Excellent upskilling opportunities and great development prospects in a multicultural environment.
Option to access special rates in products & benefits.
#MYCYMThis job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company's success, reputation and sustainable growth.Company: Airbus Defence and Space SAUEmployment Type: Permanent-------Experience Level: ProfessionalJob Family: Elec.Electron.
&Electromag;,Optics&Optron.By; submitting your CV or application you are consenting to Airbus using and storing information about you for monitoring purposes relating to your application or futur

📌 Synthetic Aperture Radar (Madrid)
🏢 Airbus Defence And Space
📍 Madrid